Belluno, 4% of children suffer from obesity. Growing data

Between 18 and 69 years, the problem affects 9% of Belluno people, 39% are overweight. Among people with excess weight, 35% declare to have high cholesterol, 32% to be hypertensive, 4% to be diabetic, 2% to have had a previous myocardial infarction

BELLUNO. 39% of Belluno people between 18 and 69 have a problem with the balance due to excess weight. And 9% are in a condition of obesity. These are the data communicated by the Ulss yesterday, on the occasion of the world day for the prevention of obesity and overweight, a problem that is more frequent with advancing age, in men and in people with low educational qualifications or difficulties economic. The provincial framework is slightly better than the national one, but it cannot be a consolation.

Among people with excess weight, 35% declare to have high cholesterol, 32% to be hypertensive, 4% to be diabetic, 2% to have had a previous myocardial infarction. On the other hand, 11% are affected by respiratory diseases. What self-perception of one’s own weight? In the Ulss Dolomiti there is a high agreement between the perception of their own weight in the obese (93%) and in the underweight-normal weight (83%); among overweight people, on the other hand, 37% are convinced that they have a “more or less right” weight. For people who find themselves in this condition, it is therefore important to ask the health professional for advice.

Children can also be affected by excess weight, in particular in the Belluno area 22% are overweight and 4% are obese. Contrary to what happens in adults, the percentage of overweight among children is increasing.

“The data collected – say the ULSS – show us that when at least one of the parents is overweight, 26.2% of children are overweight and 3.8% obese, when at least one of the parents is obese. 35.6% of children are overweight and 6.7% are obese. Regarding the perception of this risk factor in parents, it is noted that 38.5% of mothers of overweight children and 8.3% of mothers of obese children believe that their child is normal weight or underweight.

The “I run far because I eat healthy” project is active in preschools and primary schools, a program aimed at children that aims to promote correct eating habits and raise awareness of physical activity. Currently 8 infant classes and 46 primary classes are enrolled. Four Pedibus lines are active in Sedico, in collaboration with Ulss1 Dolomiti, to accompany primary school children. Then there are the Health Gyms that offer people with chronic diseases (such as obesity) the opportunity to practice sports in specialized gyms where specific professionals operate and with the involvement of adequately trained medical personnel.